froma S E E D ...

Flamboyan

2011-09-23T23:14:00.000+10:00

I've a real thing at the moment for the designs of Stephen West. Stephen's shawls are simple but designed so that the shawl stays on your shoulders. I wore Flamboyan all day at work last Saturday and didn't find myself having to hitch it back up onto my shoulder as I do with many shawls.

And yes I did say work. I'm back working in public libraries again. Seems strange being at the other end of the work ladder, having been a branch librarian, but also good. I'm learning to enjoy the moment rather than having to worry about the future. That's someone else's problem :).

The yarns used are Skein BFL Sock in Dolce and Colinette Jitterbug in Velvet Plum and worked on 4mm needles.

I should have a few more Stephen West shawls to show of in a week or two as I finish them.

There will also be a new pattern Visceral, as soon as I translate my notes. No mean feat at times.

Keep smiling :-)

Primordial - A Scarf

2011-08-20T11:29:00.000+10:00

A new pattern! It has been a while. I love working with the yarns of Habu Textiles and thought it was about time I created a little something of my own. The yarn tells the story so simplicity was the key. I chose to work with fine merino and wool/stainless steel combined with simple stitches.

The lace is the most basic combination of yarn over and knit two together. This is followed by stocking stitch to allow the scarf to wrap around the neck without too much bulk and finished off with garter stitch.

Primordial

2 x Habu Textiles A-148 1/17.6 Wool Stainless Steel

1x Habu Textiles A-33 2/48 Fine Merino

1 set 3.5mm knitting needles

1 set 5.5mm knitting needles

Getting there...

2011-07-29T18:45:00.000+10:00

slowly but surely. Have a few more finished items.

Firstly Wispy Cardi by Hannah Fettig in Iris Madeline Tosh Lace. This one has taken a while because I truly didn't think it would look good on me. Fortunately I was wrong and have been surprised at how well it fits. Will be wonderful for the transitional seasons or on a cool summer's night.

Next in line is another pair of Classic Ribbed Socks by yours truly in Limpopo Hedgehog Fibres Sock yarn. I love the ribbed pattern and think that it makes the best sock. They don't fall down and they don't bunch under my feet plus they stretch. Everything you want in a sock. I do play with patterns but the socks that get pulled out of the draw first are always the ribbed ones.

And just for something a little different, a spinning FO. This is Hedgehog Fibres 50% Silk and 50% Merino. It is spun as a lace weight and yielded 700 metres in 118grams.

Next I hope to show off my Bridgewater Shawl.

Baby Suprise Jacket

2011-07-27T18:38:00.000+10:00

I've finally finished my first Baby Suprise Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmermann.

This is a pattern that I have always wanted to try but never quite managed to get around to trying. It is one of the most ingenious patterns I have ever worked with. You are knitting and knitting trying for the life of you to work out how this knitting is going to resemble a jacket. Then there is the 'click' moment when the knitting hangs off the needles just so and voila. It is a jacket. How EZ ever came up with this pattern I'll never work out but it is just ingenious.

More FOs

2011-07-07T18:28:00.003+10:00

Few more finished items.

Up first is my Stainless Mohair Scarf

The pattern is MoonLight by Grace Mcewen. However I only used the lace pattern to make a scarf rather than a shawl. With only one ball of Rowan KidSilk Haze and one cone of Habu Silk Stainless Steel I only cast on 41sts and knitted till I ran out of yarn. Next time I'm going to have enough of each yarn to make the shawl as I love the pattern and yarn combinations.

My second finished item is another Noosa Sunset Shawl, my own pattern.

Thought it was time I had my own. Still love making this. So simple and this time I didn't block the shawl so as to have a gentle curve at the bottom rather than a point.

Finito

2011-06-27T10:44:00.012+10:00

This is one of those project that should have been quick and simple and yet.... it took nearly 4 years to complete. The pattern is modified Jo Sharp Box Stitch Jacket from Jo Sharp Handknitting Collection Book 8, Eclectic.The yarn is Biggan Designs 8ply in Aubergine 855.

It wasn't that the pattern was hard to follow but more the dark colour in double moss stitch worked at night seemed to lead to constant frogging. It was easier to put the project aside and work on something else. However it weighed on my mind because this garment wasn't for me but one of my dearest friends. So this year, with no income per se for knitting, I am slowly finishing off all those half done projects and instead of buying yarn delving into my stash. Been very good for the soul even if the mind has other ideas.

I'll have a few more to share once the sun returns so I can take some photos.

Little Cable Socks

2011-06-22T14:51:00.003+10:00

I have finally finished testing and have uploaded a new pattern - Little Cable Socks

I'd started knitting my Classic Ribbed Socks but became a little bored so added a simple 4-stitch cable on either side of the front of the sock. The yarn is Hedgehog Fibres Merino/Cashmere in Cold Heart.

To Fit: Foot Circumference: 21.5cm [8.5”] (24cm, [9.5”])

Yarn: Fingering Weight approximately 100gms

Needles: 2.5mm (US 1) circular needles with 80cm (32") cable or size to obtain gauge

Gauge: Approximately 30 sts and 42 rows to 10 cm in stocking stitch on 2.5mm knitting needles.

Other: cable needle, tapestry needle

Techniques: cuff/top down, magic loop, kitchner stitch, cable

Price: $3.50 US

Queensland Flood Appeal

2011-01-13T13:55:00.000+10:00

I am a resident of Queensland and have been horrified by the events of the past 3 weeks within my home state. Three-quarters of the state have been declared a disaster zone. The size of the state is 1,852,642 km² (715,309 sq mi) with a population of 4,516,361 persons with more than 2,004,262 living in Brisbane alone. Most of the population is concentrated in the South East. Flooding has occurred across nearly all of the state with many population centres being affected either directly or indirectly.

My family and I have been very lucky. We haven't sufferred directly from the flooding. We were far enough away from the Caboolture River. Unfortunately others were not so lucky.

I would like to donate all profits from sales of my patterns on Ravelry and any of the items that are currently in my Etsy store to the Premiers Flood Appeal. Unfortunately I am unable to do anymore dying at this point in time as I can't get anything to dry let alone have light for photography.

I shall keep you updated on monies that are donated.

If you would like to donate directly you can do so at the Premier's Flood Appeal

Keep safe and smiling :-)

Morning Visitors

2010-12-21T10:44:00.000+10:00

Found this wonderful couple in my banana trees this morning. Frogmouth Owls are nocturnal and this is the first I've seen in the fifteen years I've lived in the area. Others have mentioned seeing them.

We've actually seen more koalas including one which tried to climb up our glass sliding door. The nosie was incredible and you can imagine my suprise when I saw who was causing the noise.

Keep smiling :-)

Some Finished Items

2010-04-08T08:25:00.023+10:00

It appears I have a thing for Malabrigo Yarns at the moment.

The following are my three most recent finished items:

Buttercup by Heidi Kirrmaier in Malabrigo Worsted (Cape Cod Gray)

Autumn Grey

North Roe Shawl by Dodile in Malabrigo Sock (Eggplant)

North Roe Shawl II

and Featherweight Cardigan by Hannah Fettig in Malabrigo Lace (Black Forest)

Featherweight Cardi

and I also have two pair of socks on needles in Malabrigo Sock.

Keep smiling :-)

I'm in love with my Wenslydale

2010-04-04T09:08:00.001+10:00

Recently I bought some A Verb for Keeping Warm Wenslydale in Abalone and I'm in love. For sure it isn't as soft as merino, though I'd say not quite as scratchy as Shetland but what a dream to spin. Those lovely long staples just draft so easy and in no time you have a bobbin full.

Next time I'll show you the plied product. I used the Andean method with a very handy tool.

Keep smiling :-)

2010-02-03T10:07:00.000+10:00

Please say hello to my new friend Bessie.

She currently sits above my computer, looking out the window (what will the neighbours think?), wearing Ysoldas Ishbel.

Keep smiling :-)

Noosa Sunset Shawl

2010-02-01T10:25:00.001+10:00

Well I've finally organised myself and the Noosa Sunset Shawl is now available on Ravelry.

Keep smiling :-)

ERRATA - Mission Beach Vest

2010-01-14T16:58:00.003+10:00

Unfortunately a few errors have been discovered in the Mission Beach Vest. They are listed below with the corrections in green.

ERRATA - Mission Beach Vest

Australian Knitting, Summer 2010

MATERIALS
6 (7, 9) 50g skeins Berroco NaturLin

Band
Next row: sl3, k51 (57, 64)sts, pm, k 90 (104, 116)sts, pm, k to end [51 (57, 64)sts].

Body
Rep pattern.... ending with a row 4 or row 8 of pattern.

Work in pattern without shaping.... ending with a row 4 or row 8 of pattern.

RIGHT FRONT
Armhole
With RS facing pattern to first marker, turn [43, (49, 56) sts]
Rep rows 9 and 10 a further 8 times.
Cont in patt..... ending with a row 3 or row 7 of pattern.

Shape right shoulder
Cast off 4 (5, 5) sts at begin of next 3 (3, 4) WS rows

BACK
Armhole
Row 1: sl3, ssk, patt to next marker, turn [83 (87, 99) sts].
Continue in.... ending with a row 4 or row 8 of pattern.

Shape shoulders
With RS facing cast off 4 (5, 5) sts at begin of next 4 (4, 5) rows.

LEFT FRONT
Armhole
Cont in patt.... ending with a row 3 or row 7 of pattern.

Shape left neck
Rep rows 9 and 10 a further 8 times.

Cont in patt... ending with a row 4 or row 8 of pattern.

Shape left shoulder
With RS facing cast off 4 (5, 5) sts at begin of next 3(3, 4) RS rows.

Keep smiling :-)

Happy New Year

2010-01-06T10:19:00.000+10:00

I know a little late but better late than never. It's been a while since I was last here but life sometimes just gets away from you.

I do have this photo to share with you:

My birthday cake was made by my wonderful mother-in-law.

Yes I've hit one of those milestones. If you'd told me when I was 20 that at 40 I'd be happily married, with 2 children, 3 cats, 1 dog and totally surrounded by all things fibery I would have scoffed. Admittedly I had no idea what I wanted at that time other than to rock climb (which has fallen by the wayside).

But I am content with my life. I have all I need, a wonderful family (including the furry ones), a house, food and clothing and more than enough fibery goodness for a lifetime. Of course I do have dreams, for my family, myself (more yarn :)) and my house but dreams give us a reason to keep going and make us who we are.

The following is my favourite quote shared by Romi a few Mondays ago in her musings:

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you now have was once among the things only hoped for." - Epicurus

Well I'm off ro prepare for my guests.

Keep smiling :-)

Keeping the postman busy

2009-10-01T12:04:00.005+10:00

More deliveries this week.

Firstly from Posh Yarns this wonderful sock yarn

No real plans though I thought maybe one skein for a pair of socks and the other for a shawlette. But who knows I'm always changing my mind.

And from they same part of the world these lovely merino/silk rovings from Hedgehog Fibres.

Now I promised to show you what I'm working on with my spinning wheel.
One bobbin full of Optim from The Fibre Hut (bought at a craft show)

and working on a second of merino also from The Fibre Hut.

This two ply together beautifully and should provide 200gms of fingering weight yarn.

Keep smiling :-)

Spinning complete

2009-09-22T10:00:00.005+10:00

I have been busy knitting lately but unfortunately can't blog about it at the moment. As soon as I can you will be the first to know.

A week or so ago I did complete some spinning. This was a beautiful handdyed merino roving was bought at Queensland Spinners, Weavers and Textile Artists earlier in the year.

I created a simple 2ply spun on my Majacraft Suzie using my new jumbo plying kit and tensions lazy kate. It is amazing how much easier spinning can be when you are using the correct tools.

This 255gm roving yielded 1125m of yarn. I divided it into two skeins to make life easier. As to what I'm going to do with it I have no idea. I may keep one skein and sell the second so I can keep funding my addiction :).

I'll share my next spinning project later in the week.

Keep smiling :-)

A nice little suprise...

2009-09-21T10:52:00.005+10:00

in the post this morning from Eat, Sleep, Knit.

Madelinetosh Tosh Sock in Lichen
Fleece Artist Merino 2/6 in Victoria
Madelinetosh Tosh Lace in Lichen
As you may have noticed, in the top photo, my little helper was on hand in case I needed any assistance. Izzy is almost all grown up having just celebrated her first birthday.

Keep smiling :-)

Happy Father's Day

2009-09-07T17:17:00.004+10:00

A knitted item for Father's Day. I've called it Father's Day Fishing Beanie and it was a gift for my dad-in-law.

It is being modelled by the beautiful Anna as I know Ian wouldn't all me to photograph him.

The pattern is Jacques Cousteu Hat by Typy and is knitted in Cascade 220 Jet.

Keep smiling :-)

Goodbye Ms Stirling

2009-08-30T09:47:00.004+10:00

Friday was Connor's teachers last day before going on maternity leave. She will be sorely missed by both children and parents. As a little parting gift I made a knee rug for her (not that she can use it now with 30+ degree Celsius temperatures in winter!) using Elizabeth Zimmerman's pattern for Garter Stitch Blanket in Sheepsdown.

The yarn is Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Worsted in oatmeal and pistachio.

There are a few more finished objects but have to be kept under wraps for the moment.

Keep smiling :-)

Men at Work

2009-08-08T07:58:00.003+10:00

The men of the house were hard at work yesterday afternoon. G bought home two boxes of wood and C provided assistance - both positive and some not so positive.

Me and my Dad. See we even dress alike down to the same brand sports shoe.

All the bits and pieces. Wonder whats in the box?

And this is the finished object. Any guesses?

It's called a Wooden Dummy and is used in Wing Chun style Kung Fu for practicing blocking as well as conditioning arms and legs.

The plan today is to make a platform so the children can use it too. They will start learning the basics very soon after their grading from white to yellow belt.

Keep smiling :-)

Finished Objects!

2009-08-07T11:45:00.003+10:00

Now there's something I haven't said for a while.

I actually have two finished items.

Firstly is my Soft Waves Afghan. It uses 9 colours in Cascade Yarns 220 Heathers combined with a Ripple Stitch pattern from Jan Eaton's famous book of ripple stitches.

My second FO is the blue shawl in Jo Sharp Silk Road Tweed DK - one of my favourite yarns. The pattern is Kællingesjal 1897 - recreation from Vendsyssel Museum, Denmark. Well it is more of a recipe than a pattern however it was fun to make and a change from lace.

Well I'm off to find a nice spot in the sun to knit.

Keep smiling :-)

Ideas running...

2009-08-04T11:22:00.003+10:00

through my head.

My fascination with shawls is neverending but recently I've been intrigued by smaller simpler versions.

While at Tangled Yarns recently I picked up these two beautiful skeins of Handmaiden both in the colourway Smoke but one is Silk Bamboo and the other Silk Linen.

I can see the bamboo as the body of the scarf in a simple stitch such as garter or varient there of and the linen as the border again in a simple garter stitch pattern.

The following arrived today courtesy of the postman and the wonderful emtnestr on eBay - 5 lovely skeins of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in the Baltic Sea colourway.

Again I see a triangular shawl/scarf with a very simply body of garter stitch and a garter stitch lace edge.

Well I'm off to swatch.

Keep smiling :-)

Tangled Throw

2009-07-17T09:03:00.003+10:00

I finally have a finished item. Not been too good with those at the moment. Really good with cast ons though. I am trying to control the cast on urge but there are times when it is totally untamable.

I designed and knitted this throw for Tangled Yarns. They have this fantastic chair in the window, a Louis 1b by Sixinch courtesy of their wonderful neighbours OBJX. It is an amazingly comfortable chair and Kelly often mentions going and sitting in the window to knit and just enjoy its comfort. So here it is. Big chunky wool courtesy of Brown Sheep Burly Spun with lovely big chunky twists.

PS I'll try and get some photos on 'the' chair.

Keep smiling :-)

Shopping Day

2009-07-17T08:08:00.004+10:00

Yesterday I had a little blow out at Tangled Yarns but it was worth every cent. Some wonderful Lace Weight from the lovely Alyssa at The Yarn Cafe, two fine ergonomic crochet hooks by those clever people at Clover and finally a devine shawl pin. Have to check to see who the designer is but it is beautiful. It is made from aluminium which makes it beautiful and light and if you have long hair it would also make a great hair ornament. Enjoy my eye candy.

Keep smiling :-)

Short yet Destructive

2009-06-15T15:50:00.004+10:00

This afternoon as I readied to go and collect the children from school it started to rain. It wasn't that heavy but I grabbed raincoats and umbrellas just in case.

We returned home to find this:

Even though the storm hit at the school we just didn't realise how destructive it was. A neighbours industrial sized shed has had the corners of the roof turned up. All the wheelies bins were blown over. It was as if a mini cyclone had hit. I'm just glad I left Marley inside, I'd hate to think what could have happened to him.

Of course now the sun is out and it is a lovely winters afternoon. The funny thing is, winter is our dry season and there are usually no storms.

Keep smiling :-)

It was worth the wait...

2009-06-15T14:18:00.009+10:00

For quite a while I'd been considering buying Cookie A's Sock Innovation and Wendy Johnson's Socks from the Toe Up. They arrived on my doorstep this morning and don't I wish I'd ordered them earlier. They are both wonderful reference books as well as containing beautiful sock patterns. Now I just have to find time to knit some...

They have joined my two other all time favourite sock books, Laura Chau's Teach Yourself Visually Sock Knitting and Cat Bordhi's New Pathways for Sock Knitters, to be thumbed through over and over for inspiration, techniques and simply a good sock pattern to knit.

I've been dedicating a little time over the past week to lace knitting. You will notice a common theme in these projects, the yarn - Malabrigo sock. I've fallen in love. It is such a wonderful yarn to use in lace. Though Merino is has a lustre and feel reminiscent of silk and look how well the patterns define on a 3.5mm needle.

Dodile's North Roe Shawl in Eggplant. The lovely Odile has agreed to let us teach this pattern at Tangled Yarns. Of course I already have my lovely Blue Moon Fiber Arts Laci North Roe but thought it would be good to show students how it looks in a fingering weight. Yes I know Kelly, I also had a little trouble resisting the yarn so what better excuse :).

Next we have Laura Chau's Milkweed Shawl in the Persia Colourway.

And finally a lace scarf, in the Turner colourway, that I'm designing for our other Lace class at Tangled Yarns.

And yes I'm still spinning. Look at this gorgeous green I picked up at QSPFA's latest open day. I'll show you the finished product when I reach that stage.

Keep smiling :-)

Workroom Rearrange

2009-04-17T17:46:00.006+10:00

Currently it is school holidays so I don't expect to get much work done at all. So instead I decided to move furuniture. Every now and then comments are made about how my work takes over the house. Well must admit you could find it in the lounge and library but the bedroom and study are relatively clear :) .

So if you check this post you can see what it looked like and here it is now:

And as you can see I even provided a perfect cat spot, as Rooster is demonstrating.

Maybe I should also take pictures of the other areas to show how bare they are now.

It is interesting how the change has affected me. By bringing everything together I'm actually spending more time on my project because I know that everything I should need is in that room.

Keep smiling :-)

Crazy Hair Day

2009-03-25T10:15:00.003+10:00

At school today it is Crazy Hair day to raise money for the Leukimia Foundation though some of the children are going to whole way and doing the Shave for a Cure. Here's how my two left the house.
Last year we did the hair colour thing but not this time. Between the chemicals and aerosol of a spray, not to mention the cost and the fact that you could hardly see the colour in their hair anyway. Most importantly they were happy though Anna has asked me to put more plaits in her hair tonight. Might make the others fall straighter as well. She's been told she can leave it in until Sunday and then we have to go 'normal' again. Have to admit it would be the easiest way to keep her hair tidy and it knots very easily.

Now I'm going to go and hide back under my rock and hope this head cold doesn't get any worse.

Keep smiling :-)

I've not totally disappeared...

2009-03-06T21:38:00.008+10:00

... just disappeared a little. This time I won't make any promises that I won't keep. Instead I'll blog when I feel I have something worthwhile to share.

Here's a little something I'm working on for Tangled Yarns. Just a lovely simply Malabrigo Merino Silky scaft in the perfect shade for a man in your life, though I'd be quite happy with this for myself.

While photographing I had some help from a little someone. She tried to make off with the skein for her own collection.

Funny how you forget things. I've forgotten what it is like to have a kitten in the house. All that curiosity and mischieviousness not to mention love. During the day she follows me from room to room, sitting on the sewing, plonking herself in front of the keyboard or chasing her ball of yarn around the spinning wheel. The only time she behaves is when I'm knitting and she sits quietly beside me.

This is Izzy hard at work.

Here's what she got up to last weekend. It was her first meeting with a snake and more than likely not her last.
Keep smiling :-)

Meet Ms Izzy

2009-01-28T17:48:00.003+10:00

Greg and I had an agreement to no more pets. We already have an English Springer Spaniel, Marley and two moggies Sammy and Rooster and of course two children. However we've decided to break our agreement.

Yesterday I dropped two children of at school (Yippee!) and came home with a little kitten. She was hanging around the uniform shop and looked to have slept under there. She doesn't appear starved, just hungry and she is extremely affectionate and has a beautiful nature. She has just curled up onto my lap as I type. So we've told the children that she will stay, though we will still look for her owners. Her full name is Isolde, which means beautiful in gaelic but to make things easier it is shortened to Izzy.

Who could resist such innocence.

Keep smiling :-)

Socks, socks, socks

2009-01-16T09:46:00.007+10:00

I guess I just love knitting socks. These three below are my current projects (we won't talk about those that are currently hibernating)

On the left we have Merino Lace Socks by Anne Woodbury from Favourite Socks: 25 Timeless Designs from Interweave in Dyelicious Hand Dyed Yarns Merino/Cashmere.

In the middle is my first attempt at toe-up sock as per Laura Chau's instructions in Teach Yourself Visually Sock Knitting. These are knitted in Wollmeise merino in Vincent.

And finally we have my basic sock pattern done in stripes of Noro Silk Garden Sock.

Now the question is do I take these three with my on my holiday next week or do I take these instead:
and start some new socks? Or do I just take the lot and leave the clothes behind?

Unfortunately there is not a lot of room in a Subaru Impreza WRX hatch when one has two adults, 2 children and 1 English Springer Spaniel. And we need to take linen, clothes and activities - no TV but lots of sun and surf. Here's a peak:

Well maybe not so much sun in this picture but definately lots of surf.

We actually had to postpone the holiday a week (thanks Steph :)) as one English Springer Spaniel by the name of Marley had the bottom 2 inches of his ear bitten off, through the fence, by the neighbours dog. He's fine now after a little surgery and the dog wire fence is now also covered with chicken wire to keep errent noses where they belong. Fortunately we have good neighbours.

Keep smiling :-)

New Name

2009-01-16T09:32:00.001+10:00

I've decided that I have too many different names out there so it is time to consolidate. I like From a S E E D better because it can incorporate anything and everything that I do ranging from my wonderful family and friends through to my creative endeavours and my joy or reading. Enjoy.

Keep smiling :-)

New Year

2009-01-02T07:04:00.005+10:00

One of my New Year resolutions is to be a more regular blogger, oh and to stop spending so much time on computer games. I haven't stopped knitting or spinning during this time though it has slowed down due to the hot, humid weather. I'm still working on trying to get aircon in the back end of the house.

Here are my current WIPs:

My wonderful friend Jeannine gave me a skein of Blue Moon Fiber Arts Laci in Raven. It is slowly becoming the North Roe Shawl by Dodile. It is beautiful yarn to work with so lovely and soft.

This is the very beginning of Jared Flood's Girasole. As I'm working in Alpaca DK it has been sitting idle until a less humid day. I'm also planning to do the pattern in some fingering weight handspun that I'm currently working on.

And finally Merino Lace Sock by Anne Woodbury . Another wonderful pattern and yarn. The yarn is cashmere/merino in Driftwood by Dyelicious Hand Dyed Yarns. This is my first project with cashmere and I think I'm spoiled for anything else. I've heard lots of stories about the wonders of cashmere and now that I have finally succumbed I know they are all true.

Happy New Year and
Keep smiling :-)

Strawberries for Miss J

2008-11-24T13:44:00.004+10:00

I promised a little friend of mine that I would post some photos of strawberry flowers. So here they are Miss J. First the flowers...

Next you can see the strawberry beginning to form...

And finally a strawberry almost ready to eat...

As for the rest of the garden it is growing quite well. The storms last weekend did leave everything looking very limp but it has recovered over the week.
Cucumbers...
Corn...

Tomatoes...
Lady bug on a rockmelon (cantelope) plant...

And finally my foopah...

I thought I was cutting back the cucumber but instead it was rockmelon and of course the only two fruit that have formed. The kids and I will cut them this afternoon to investigate how they grow as I think that they are too underdeveloped to ever ripen. I am going to be in big trouble this afternoon from my rockmelon loving children and with prices around $5 at the moment they are not coming from the shop.

This final photo shows just how strong the winds and rain were during the storms last weekend...
Normally you can walk between the house and the garden. We have quite a few other bushes and trees in the same sorry state. They will have to be trimmed during the week.

Keep smiling :-)

More Spinning

2008-11-04T10:53:00.002+10:00

I've just finished another spinning project. I've called it Cantelope due of course to the colour. My son constantly referred to it as 'prawn' the whole time I was spinning the fibre and I just couldn't get the name out of my head.

Fibre: 100% Corriedale from Maine Woods Yarn
Ply: 2
Weight 100gms of fingering weight

Keep smiling :-)

Shawls on the go ....

2008-11-04T10:46:00.002+10:00

One of my favourite items to knit are lace shawls. I just love working the patterns. To me a good lace pattern is one that flows easily to your needles and easily becomes etched in your head so that you know instantly when you have made a mistake.

These are my two current shawl projects:

Firstly the Autumn Shawl by the Unique Sheep in her tencel sock- except mine is named the Sangria shawl as this is the colour that I"m working in.

The second shawl is another Laminaria. I enjoyed my first so much I had to come back for more. This time I've used the colourway Woodland in Fleece Artists Suri Blue.

Keep smiling :-)

Sunday Visitor

2008-11-02T13:23:00.004+10:00

While out in the back yard today we discovered that we have a visitor.

Yes it is a Koala and no this isn't a common visitor though in the 12 years we've lived here this is our second Koala visitor. The first tried to climb the glass sliding door. Gives you quite a scare when you are in bed to here that noise. And have you seen their claws? - very good for climbing hardwood trees. This little one mights stay for a day or two and then she'll be off to forage for food.

Many people have blamed domestic animals for the loss of so many koalas (they have become and endangered species) but finally we are beginning to admit that it is humans that are responsible. We are decimating their habitat for our own housing. We are just lucky that we live in a more rural area and can enjoy our native heritage - kangaroos used to be regular visitors as well.

Keep smiling :-)

So what have I been doing?

2008-10-29T10:28:00.003+10:00

I'd decided a little while ago that I should try to sell some of what I make as there is way too much for me to ever use. Plus I am more of a process person. I just like to make then I have to decide what to do with the item once I've finished.

To overcome this problem I've opened a shop over at Etsy - from a S E E D. Please go and take a gander. Let me know what you think as all comments are gratefully accepted.

Now to the garden. I've had a few queries as to how the vegie patch is going. Very well thank you. We did lose a few plants, mainly carrots, as we had an extremely hot day the day after we planted. Here are a few photos:

A little one enjoying the sun - not sure yet if he is friend or foe. I'm sure it will become obvious soon.

Rockmelon Flower. Can't wait for these to form fruit as the kids absolutely love them and they make a great summer fruit.

Lettuce another favourite of the household. I just love the colours together.

And the whole garden. Corn, rockmelon, strawberries, tomato, lettuce and white apple cucumber - oh and 1 aloe vera that Mr bought home from grandmas.

Keep smiling :-)

Dyeing Completed

2008-10-27T19:01:00.003+10:00

And a little bit of dying.

Sweetgrass which was an accident but one I absolutely love. It is dyed on a lace weight 80% merino, 20% nylon.

Pond was my other dye whcih I wasn't too sure about but as always I should trust my judgement. It was snapped up by one of my lovely knitting friends. It is also weight 80% merino, 20% nylon.

Keep smiling :-)

Spinning Completed

2008-10-27T18:57:00.004+10:00

This is the spinning that I've done over the last couple of weeks. I just don't seem to be able to get enough of it.

Roving: Merino "Wild Siberian Iris" from Copperpot Woolies
Spun: chain 3ply
WPI: 14
Weight: 100gms

Roving: Merino "Hot Mulled Cider" from Copperpot Woolies
Spun: 2ply
WPI: 16
Weight: 100gms

Roving: Evilla - shetland type from Astrid's Dutch Obssessions
Spun: 2 ply
WPI: 16
Weight: 120gms

Roving: Corriedale "Maine Lobstah" from Maine Woods Yarn and Fiber
Spun: 2ply
WPI: 16
Weight: 100gms

Keep smiling :-)

Knitting completed

2008-10-27T18:51:00.004+10:00

Been a little quiet I have. Been working on a new project that I will unveil later.

Not much completed knitting though as always many wips. I did finish this scarf though.

Pattern: Herringbone Seaman's Scarf
Designer: Me
Yarn: Evilla Art Yarn 7 - 8/2 from Astrid's Dutch Obssessions
Needles: 3.5mm

Keep smiling :-)

Dying to Dye

2008-10-13T11:56:00.005+10:00

Well I've just done something I said I'd most probably never do. I dyed yarn. Thank you so much to Kelly for showing me how easy it is and that you don't need much room or equipment. Of course now I'm hooked and I want to dye more. The budget however says you must be patient.

Here are the results of my first dye both of which are destined to become shawls.

Bluegum Haze is a 2ply laceweight merino with 100gms in total.

and Paperbark is a 2ply fingering weight with a total of 200gms. Now I have to stop thinking about dyeing and start thinking about knitting.

Keep smiling :-)

Asymmetrical Cabled Cardi

2008-10-07T07:17:00.003+10:00

And finally a finished knit. Feels like forever since I had one. Too much playing around with different ideas.

I really like the way this fits and love the high collar. Normally I don't like high collars but this sits away from the throat but still provides warmth. I'll have to design my own cardi with this collar.

Pattern: Asymmetrical Cabled Cardi by Yahaira Ferreira
Yarn: Louet Riverstone in Caribou
Needles: 5mm and 4.5mm

Keep smiling :-)

Back!

2008-10-07T07:09:00.004+10:00

Sorry I've been away for so long. Few things have happened. First there was school holidays so life was taken up with entertaining small children. This wasn't that hard as we had decided to start our own vegie garden. As you can see from the photo it is still quite young.

Of course the weather turned hot the day after we planted and so a few plants were lost. The tomatoes are the healthiest and the strawberries a close second. There are also lettuce, cucumber, corn and rockmelon. Pretty much anything the children would eat we planted.

The other reason for the lack of posting was the death of my camera. It had been dying for a while but every now and then I'd still get a decent shot. So I've made an investment in a new camera - a Pentax K100 Digital SLR. I chose the SLR as it wasn't that much more than a high quality digital compact. I of course have all the settings on auto but my other half has always had an interest in photography and he'll be able to play again.

I'll post my lastest FO in another post.

Keep smiling :-)

Newbies

2008-09-10T08:14:00.006+10:00

Here is what has arrived in the post over the last few weeks. There is so many beautiful things out in the world and it is so easy to become caught up in our consumer society. However, on the other side of things, I like to think that most of the time I'm supporting small business. I have promised myself to behave until my stash becomes a little smaller but must admit I don't know if I can trust myself.

Firstly we have lots of Estonian Shetland type fibre.
These are the Evilla Lace on the left and Evilla Art Yarn on the right from Astrid's Dutch Obsessions.

And some Evilla for spinning. The green is a batt while the multi is preyarn. This can either be knitted as is which would be great for felting but in my case I've chosen to add some spin. These are also from Astrid's.

From Webs was this order. I don't often buy myself pretty, girly things but I fell in love with this dellaQ bag. The yarn is Louet Riverstone in Caribou for my Asymmetrical Cabled Cardi by Yahaira Ferreira.

On the spinning side some roving arrived from The Spinners Emporium:

Cinnamon
and Crocus
And finally some buttons. This collection is your Yuki Designs I have already used two from the bottom ones on my Loppem.

and this collection from Lala Supply

So now I'm off to have a little fun. As you can imagine not being able to do much last week was very frustrating.

Keep smiling :-)

I've not totally disappeared

2008-09-09T11:34:00.005+10:00

I have, however, had sick children home from school all last week. Not very conducive to any working for me. Fortunately they have recovered and were packed back off to school yesterday.

Today I thought I might introduce you to my work areas. I have 4 specific areas around the house assigned to my different activities.

In the lounge would be my most used area as this is where I sit and knit with everything I would normally need at my fingertips.

Then the library (the house plan called it a dining room) is my spinning space. I have both my spinning wheel set up here and my spindles are on the table.

Behind the lounge is the weaving zone. My wonderful man made me the frame for my rigid heddle which makes it much easier to use. The table loom is an Ashford 4 shaft which I'm yet to learn how to use.
My final space is my actual workroom which these days could be better called the storage room. It is where I do my finishing, blocking and photography and sometimes the occasional bit of sewing.And this is the kids workspace. I only rearranged it yesterday because I was tired of not being able to walk down the hallway. Hopefully they will be a bit better contained.

Next post I'll show you some of the goodies that have arrived in the post over the last couple of weeks.

Keep smiling :-)

Finished Objects and new idea

2008-08-26T12:19:00.003+10:00

Loppem is finally finished except for the buttons. Now all I have to do is find the perfect ones. The pattern calls for 2 inch size buttons but after buying two sets today I've decided they are too big. I have some on order from Etsy so maybe I will just have to be patient.

Pattern: Loppem from Norah Gaughan Volume 3
Designer: Norah Gaughan
Yarn: Dyelicious Hand Dyed Yarns Merino Worsted - Autumn Threads
3 x 100gm skeins
Needles: 5.omm circular
Mods: sleeve band only worked on cast on stitches. Added garter stitch front bands and lengthen the bottom band to match the sleeve.

In progress I have a new sock pattern which I'm tentatively calling Mountain Streams because that is what the colour reminds me of. The yarn is Dyelicious Hand Dyed Yarns Fingering Merino.Keep Smiling :-)

Cockles

2008-08-19T17:21:00.004+10:00

Finished another spin today.
Definitely learnt something after the last two handspuns. I should spin all my singles first and then ply. Just as in the Natural 3 Colour spin my two skeins are considerably different. The only thing I don't quite understand is the difference in meterage when they weigh the same and the only difference in WPI is 1. I guess you just live and learn. Must say to colour is lovely and the chain plying was perfect to show these colours. Of course now I would love to go and do a 2 ply just to compare but that would me buying more roving...

Fibre: Sakina Needles Merino in Cockles
Weight: 60gms
Meterage: 129
WPI: 13
Ply: ChainFibre: Sakina Needles Merino in Cockles
Weight: 60gms
WPI: 14
Meterage: 189
Ply: Chain

Keep smiling :-)

A week for completion

2008-08-18T09:57:00.007+10:00

Spent the past week completing a few projects.

First off the needles was Laminaria.
I loved every minute of knitting this shawl due to the combination of great pattern and beautiful yarn in my favourite colour. It is one of the few times I've knitted a project in the same yarn and colour as the pattern.

Pattern: Laminaria
Yarn: Fleece Artist Suri Blue in Moss
Needles: 4.0mm

Finished off some spinning though didn't go quite to plan. One skein ended up a fair bit finer than the other but I'm sure I'll find a project to use both.

Fibre: Merino from QSWFA
Weight: 60gm
WPI: 16
Ply: 2

Fibre: Merino from QSWFA
Weight: 60gm
WPI: 19
Ply: 2

And the final project for the week was my Mini Shawl with Flair. It is based on the Weavers Wool Mini Shawl by Peggy Pignato but with a few changes and additions.

Pattern: Weaver's Wool Mini Shawl
Yarn: Muted with Green handspun
Richmore Count 5 Mohair
Needles: 4.0mm, 5.0mm, 8.0mm

Keep smiling :-)

Winter Sunset

2008-08-09T08:27:00.003+10:00

I've been doing a lot of spinning recently. Trying out different ideas to see what works best for me. Something I have discovered is I prefer to wind my single off into a centre pull ball and then ply from the ball. For me it is much easier to control my tension in the ply especially when chain plying and even better you only need one bobbin!

Here is Winter sunset and my first attempt at chain plying. There is still a heap of fibre to process but thought I'd share this one with you.

Fiber: Hand dyed from Queensland Spinners, Weavers and Fabric Artists
Weight: 100gms
WPI: 14
Ply: Chain

Keep smiling :-)

Autumn Threads

2008-08-08T09:00:00.002+10:00

This was an experiment in seeing which plying I preferred. One skein was plied from two single while the other was plied using chain plying.

Fibre: Autumn Threads by Fibredyeversity
Weight: 50gms
WPI: 14
Ply: 2ply

Fibre: Autumn Threads by Fibredyeversity
Weight: 50gms
WPI: 14
Ply: 3ply chained

In this case I think I prefer the chain plying as it shows the colours in a way I prefer.

Keep smiling :-)

3ply with a Difference

2008-08-04T11:32:00.008+10:00

I decided to have a little play around with plying in this project. Initially I spun the singles, some olive that I bought at a felting workshop and Sunset merino wool roving from Fibrespacesupplies
I then spun another single of the Sunset colours ensuring they were spun in the same direction as the plied singles. Then I spun the single with the 2ply. Quite enjoyed the results.

Fiber: Merino from Fiberspacesupplies and unknown source
Weight: 100gms
WPI: 14
Ply: 3 ply spun in 3 stages

Keep smiling :-)

Weaving

2008-08-04T11:20:00.004+10:00

Well I finally managed to make some time to warp my Ashford 80cm rigid heddle. Here I have used Iris at Midnight - the yarn I plied from Dyelicious 2ply lace silk and a 2ply lace merino.

After 4 hours warping the loom - I kept running into trouble because I do this so rarely - I was ready to go. The warping is a bit off centre because i was hoping to create cloth about 40cm wide but ran out of yarn so decided to stick with 35cm.

Check out the fantastic stand that my wonderful husband made for me. I had been considering buying the stand for this loom but it cost as much as the loom itself! So instead for $25 and 1 1/2 hours of his time I now have this. It just makes weaving so much easier with such a wide loom. I've used a 40cm rigid heddle on my lap and that is quite easier to us but the 80cm is just too big.
Keep smiling :-)

Under the sea

2008-07-25T07:42:00.004+10:00

What have I been up to all week? Not a lot except spinning with a tiny bit of knitting but nothing to show off yet.

This is the first completed spin that just came off the niddy noddy this morning. It was some roving a friend asked me to spin up and it was glorious. Lovely long staple that just slid out of my hands. I wasn't so sure at first when I was predrafting but as soon as the spinning started it was wonderful.

Check out the pictures:
Now I don't have WPI details as I forgot to do this before I made the skein all pretty. There is however 100gms of what I would say is light-normal fingering. It is a little uneven as I still have an awful lot to learn about spinning but it does give it character.

What do you think Kel? yes and I know I'm supposed to be getting the kids to school but they'll keep ;)

Keep smiling :-)

Natural Spin

2008-07-18T08:20:00.004+10:00

Now this roving has been sitting in my stash for a very long time. Longer than my spinning wheel sat idle waiting for me to gain the confidence to put it to good use.

But now it is spun. I have no idea what I'm going to do with it but I have to admit it was very enjoyable to spin.

Source: Queensland Spinners, Dyers and Fabric Artists
Weight: 540gms
WPI: 13

Now I can get on to the luscious merino roving I bought at Nundle.

Keep smiling :-)

Hardly Done

2008-07-15T15:42:00.008+10:00

I've become addicted to plying yarn.

A little while ago I bought some yarn from 100purewool with the intention of making a shawl. It has been languishing in my stash until I had this wonderful idea. How would it look plied?

Originally I started plying as a two ply but then I started thinking about 3ply. It looked great.

Then I thought how would this look cable plied. So off I went again.

I was so excited with what I created I didn't even take time to either set the yarn let alone photograph it. I just had to knit it and I already knew the pattern - Elizabeth Zimmermann's "Knitted Garter Stitch Blanket"

Then disaster struck - I ran out of yarn and after a fun time at Nundle will have to wait a little while before I can order more. I'm going to need at least another 6 skeins to complete the blanket how I want it. Oh well, good things come to those who wait. It isn't like I don't have other projects to work on :).

Here is a picture of my cat Sammy.

Trust him to find the most comfortable, not to mention expensive, place to sleep - atop my Silk Garden Rib Warmer which looks a little like this:

Keep smiling :-)

Current Projects

2008-07-10T15:51:00.005+10:00

Here are a few projects I'm currently working on.

On the wheel I've finally completed the Muted Colours with Green.

Fibre: Qld Spinners and Weavers Merino Hand dyed
WPI: 14
Weight: 240gms
Project: socks I think

I've also picked up the Laminaria Shawl again. Finally finished the star stitch pattern and I'm now working on the Blossom pattern.

Plying is the plan for this yarn from 100 pure wool. I have 3 skeins of the lace weight singles in Hardly. It will be interesting to see the results.

Keep smiling :-)

Home again

2008-07-10T13:50:00.007+10:00

Back from my trip to Nundle. Had a wonderful time. Nothing better than spending time with fabulous friends knitting, spinning, shopping and eating.

This is the view outside our cabin. You couldn't ask for more.

And a little retail therapy.
6 balls Nundle Woollen Mills Retro 4ply. 2 each in Iris, Kelp and Ironstone.

1 kilo of 21.2micron merino in natural

205gms Optim and Camel

The NWM Retro in Ironstone is already becoming a pair of Classic socks.

I plan on spinning the merino on the spinning wheel and then having it dyed while I think I'll leave the Optim/Camel for the spindle and something laceweight.

Keep smiling :-)

I've been bad

2008-07-01T12:22:00.006+10:00

That is as a blogger. Can't believe it has been a week and a half since I last posted. It's not like I haven't had anything to post either. I've been busy and my lovely postman has also visited. So here is a long blog.

Firstly a few completed projects:

Pattern: Dulcie
by: Woolly Wormhead
Yarn: my own handspun
Needles: 4.5mm circulars

Pattern: Spiral Socks
by: Myself
Yarn: Dyelicious Hand Dyed Yarns - Wool/Nylon
Needles: 2.5mm circulars

And some Spinning:

Starting Yarn: DHDY Lace Silk and DHDY Lace Merino
Weight: 210gms of Fingering
Plans: woven stole

And a new project. I realised I need something I could take along to my knitting group, work on and not have to pull undone when I returned home. It will be made up of a number of squares in varying sizes. Each square is complete by making triangles using short rows.
The yarn is Kauni Effekgarn in colour way EH - blue/beige/chocolate and was bought at Astrid's Dutch Obsessions. I love the large swatches of colour and the changes are so well done that at first you don't realise you're changing colours. Needles are 3.25mm circulars.

And from the postman
Well actually Knitting without Tears came from Borders. The other two from Amazon in the US and Japan. The 1000 knitting patterns is absolutely worth the money (even though 300 of the stitches are crochet). I've already gained much inspiration. And of course Elizabeth Zimmerman is a perennial favourite. I don't know why I've avoided her books until now but I've become addicted.

Well I can't promise to be good this week. Tomorrow the family is going to Lismore for the day and then on Thursday it is off to Nundle with my wonderful girlfriends.

Keep smiling :-)

I love the postman

2008-06-19T11:45:00.004+10:00

because he brings me lovely things.

Two packages today. One from Amazon contained my very own copy of Amy Butler's Midwest Modern.

It is just a lovely reference book with pages and pages of inspiration. I love this paragraph in the Epilogue

"First and foremost, I wanted this book to inspire you - not to look at my life and work in awe, but to see how simple and approachable a creative life is. It's not about adding layers to your life, but about stripping away obstacles. Fear is one of the biggest obstacles any of us face. Fear of rejection, fear of loss, fear of inadequacy. Don't allow your fears and anxieties to overshadow your passions. Life itself is an artistic expression, so you already have the capacity tot create beauty. You don't have to be an expert drawer or painter, or even seamstress. You just have to bring to fruition the ideas in your life that inspire you and that will help make life better for others." Amy Butler

The second package came from Renaissance Dyeing in France. It is four skeins of beautiful lace weight in Dappled Lime.

No idea what will become of it but I'm sure it won't take me long to come up with something.

Keep smiling :-)

What happens when ...

2008-06-17T07:55:00.003+10:00

What happens when you grab a skein of 2ply merino lace Dyelicious Hand Dyed Yarn in Iris and

a skein of 2ply silk lace Dyelicious Hand Dyed Yarn in Midnight

add in a Majacraft Suzie spinning wheel and about 3 hours

and you have a lovely skein of merino/silk 4ply lace in Iris at Midnight

I love silk but don't enjoy knitting it so yesterday while been a voyeur on Flickr I had some inspiration. This skein should weigh about 100gm and should be around 600 metres. At the moment it is looking a little tight but hopefully after a warm bath with a little SOAK it will relax.
Now to spin the second 50gms up.

Keep smiling :-)

Finished Projects

2008-06-14T20:09:00.004+10:00

I can't believe I actually have three finished objects this week. Wow, must be a record for me. I suppose though I shouldn't mention how many project were cast on this week.

Anyway here is number 1.

Pattern: Flared Lace Smoke Ring by Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer
Yarn: Fleece Artist Sea Wool in Moss
Needles: 4mm circular

And numbers 2 & 3 go together. Two more Curly Purly soakers by Marnie Ann Joyce in meduim made with Dyelicious Hand Dyed Yarns Worsted weight. These are for my friends new niece who lives in the cold.

Keep smiling :-)

I'm feeling inspired

2008-06-11T13:59:00.003+10:00

Yesterday the lovely FedEx man delivered this wonderful book to my door. It is 300 Lace Stitches and yes it is in Japanese. This is not a problem as the Japanese are so good at visual explanations. All the patterns are charted and even though there were a few symbols that I didn't recognise the glossary in the back provides visual explanation of how to complete each stitch even the cables. So if you like some of the Japanese stitch dictionaries don't be put off by thinking you can't read them because you don't need to.

I've already charted a lace stole pattern using the book which I've tentatively called 'Lace Rose Garden' because the patterns I've used are a trellis, a leaf and a flower as well as the fact that the yarn, Cherry Tree Hill Supersock, is called Rose Garden. I'll let you know how it goes.

And here is the prototype of my Circular Needle Case. It does require a little refinement but
not bad for the first shot.

There is room for all my tools. I keep my everyday tools in a little metal tin but this has room for longer items such as rulers and stitch holder.

See the clever use of CD-holders. Took a little while to find the right sort as some the needles would have just fallen right out

The two things I'm not that happy with are one - the magnetic clasp as it sits too high, I'll have to find something that sits more flush and two - made the inside lining in a number of pieces whereas next time I'll try and make it as one single piece. And I have to remember that when placing the cardboard onto the fabric everything is reverse. It worked well for the outside because it means that the case opens perfectly for a left handed person such as myself but if I was doing it for someone else then I have to use my brain.

Keep smiling :-)

I went to Peppermint Stitches

2008-06-06T20:16:00.009+10:00

and came home with some lovely additions to my stash.

Peppermint Stitches is a new craft store that has just opened their doors in Brisbane. I was in heaven the moment I walked in the door.

Here's a look at what I brought home:

Amy Butler's InStitches. I don't do a lot of sewing but I couldn't resist. Her beautiful fabrics combined with stylish design was too good to pass up. For me it was worth it just for the wide leg lounge pants pattern.

And a little fabric. I have plans for a circular needle holder made using cd-sleeves which has been on the backburner because I didn't have the right fabric. Now I have no excuses.

And of course couldn't leave without some yarn. Lovely Cherry Tree Hill in African Grey

Keep smiling :-)

Spin around

2008-06-04T11:54:00.004+10:00

Finally finished a plied bobbin of the Muted Colours with green. Going to have to think of a better name for this one. I'm sure it will come to me in time. This is only about a third of the roving so I'll be back to the spinning wheel for more. Yipee!

These pink socks were going to be my first attempt at two socks at a time magic loop style. Didn't take me too long to give up. I found I was taking at least three times as long to do a round because there was just too much yarn everywhere.

I'm not going to give up though. I'll try again on another pair but use two separate yarn balls instead of the beginning and end of one.

Yummy colour though. Sometimes it is fun to have someone else choose the colours. Both this pair and the blue ones are not colours I would have chosen myself but I've really enjoyed knitting with them.

Back to the knitting and spinning now.

Keep smiling :-)

Update

2008-06-02T09:26:00.006+10:00

Thought might use Monday as an update on my projects day. Well actually I've been waiting for the weather to cooperate to take better picture but as it is refusing ...

I gave up and attempted some photos this morning.

Firstly I had to find a place with reasonable light. Chose the lounge because of the almost floor to ceiling windows and the coffee table seemed like a good display place but first I had to clear it off:
Definitely a his and hers coffee table.

Now for some projects.

Basic Blue Socks were completed then I totally forgot to photograph them. Thankfully K has sent me some. She blocked them on her smaller sock blocker so they didn't get too stretched.

Waterlilies is spun.

Fibre: Merino hand dyed
Spun on: Majacraft Suzie
WPI: 10
Weight: 260grams

Originally I thought to do a EZ Baby Surprise Jacket but my knitting group informed me I have to do something for me as it is my first handspun so I've chosen Dulcie by Woolly Wormhead

I've also been working with some of my other stash from Queensland Spinners Weavers and Fibre Artists and the results

On the Spinning Wheel:

I have absolutely fallen in love with the colours. They are all muted except for the green which just lifts the colour. The plan for this is a 2ply sock yarn. We'll see.

And on my Kundert Spindle:
The ball is a very soft purple/grey mix which I'm going to ply with the grey. Not sure how many plies this one will be. Have been thinking to try and cable ply this. Again we shall see.

Well time to go and do some work. I thought about cleaning the house. Looked outside, looked at the dog, two children ,two cats and husband and thought 'Why bother it only look as bad when I'm finished'

Keep smiling :-)

I just can't not ...

2008-05-27T14:49:00.005+10:00

Spin. It's in my blood. What more can you want than starting with a beautifully dyed roving and ending up with a sublime skein of yarn. I've decided to call this Water Lilies.

Sorry photos are a little wobbly. I could blame excitement but more like it's the fact I'm not wearing my glasses. Anyway I believe the yarn will have to be used for Elizabeth Zimmerman's Baby Surprise Jacket.

And a find when I was shopping. This is a shoe box and perfect for storing yarn. Even better it only cost $2. And for the yarnophiles out there it is Jo Sharp Alpaca Kid Lustre in Province. Yes I know in the shade cards it looks purple but it is not.

Well back to the wheel to finish the final skein of Water Lilies.

Keep smiling :-)

I'm in Fibre Heaven

2008-05-25T14:54:00.005+10:00

Today was the annual Queensland Spinners, Weavers and Fibre Artists Open Day and I was in heaven. It was just lovely to wander around and see what people had on offer. I was drawn mainly to the roving and handspun. I met up with a few friends (always more fun to share) and we indulged in a little retail therapy.

Here's my stash additions

80 grams of mid grey merino sliver and 84 grams merino sliver blend. I plan to ply these together.

130 grams of Dyed Merino Wool.

270 grams handdyed wool sliver

262 grams of dyed wool sliver and as you can see below I couldn't resist spinning it already. Love the colour combinations.

And how much did this 826 grams of roving cost me .... all of $60! Still can't believe it myself.

And here is my lovely Majacraft Suzie Spinning Wheel. I could photograph her now because I finally have a new drive belt and she is just wonderful to work with. Though I came home to find the dog had been scrambling around her chasing a ball. He managed to damage the brake cord which could only be saved by cutting and retying. Just hope I don't decide to make bulky yarn as I don't think the cord is long enough for loose tension.

Well my wheel is calling so I'm returning.

Keep smiling :-)

Marian

Been a bit slow ...

2008-05-23T19:08:00.006+10:00

on the old blogging this week. I'm going to blame it on the head cold. It's finally made it to the blocked sinuses stage so hopefully it will soon be gone. But alas I haven't been too quiet.

Check out the piccys below to see what I've been up to this week besides playing Animal Connect on the computer.

Completed is the Flared Lace Smoke Ring except for blocking. Hopefully will do that next week.

Another finished object. I'll try and take some better pictures when the sun is up. This is simply a red and green spun alternatively then plied with a gold single. First skein off the spinning wheel so quite happy with the result but still have much to learn.

Still working on the soakers. This one is the medium size. Thought I'd colour code them to make life easier for a new mother. The yarn again is Dyelicious Hand Dyed Yarn in Aran weight.

Started is another Flared Lace Smoke Ring this time in Fleece Artist SeaWool. See loved the pattern so much had to do another which is quite unusual for me as a process knitter.

And another started for a friend is a basic 2x2 rib sock in Dyelicious Hand Dyed Yarn Wool/Nylon and is wonderful to work with. Reminds me a little of Patons Patonyle. I also have a skein in pink colourway for another pair. Funny I wouldn't have chosen this colour myself but really like the knitted result.

Well that's all from me for the moment.

Keep smiling :-)

Knitting Helpers

2008-05-19T07:03:00.004+10:00

Just a very quick share this morning as there is a family to get out of the house.

I couldn't resist this one. I was sitting on the lounge yesterday enjoying a little knitting time when one by one I was joined by some furry helpers. I believe it was more because yesterday was the coldest so far for the year, rather than wanting my wonderful company. I have to say it does make trying to knit a little interesting. Good thing I use circular needles.

I'll post later about the projects. The Flared Lace Smoke Ring is coming along beautifully. You might just get a glance of it in the photo.

Keep smiling :-)

Cast Ons

2008-05-16T10:04:00.007+10:00

I keep telling myself no more cast ons until something is cast off but of course I ignore myself. Some cast ons I can justify such as the Curly Purly Soaker. These are for a good friends new niece or nephew who is due later this month and this is not only a winter baby but a Canberra winter baby. The should keep the little one nice and warm and hopefully dry as well.

Pattern: Curly Purly Soaker
Yarn: Dyelicious Hand Dyed Yarns - Aran 100gms
Needles: 3.0mm, 4.0mm. 5.0mm
Size: small

Amazingly these two came out of one skein with a little left over. Much more economical than the Cascade 220 I used for a previous soaker.

Of course I'm still spinning. Had to test drive the new Kundert.

And then there is this:

I'm blaming Brooklyn Tweed for this. If I didn't read his blog I would never have discovered the beautiful Flared Lace Smoke Ring by Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer. I love the formation of the lace using a twisted knit stitch in the rib. It reminds me of the Cookie A's Pomatomus sock.

This is the very beginning in Fleece Artist Woolie Silk 3ply in Amber bought from Colorsong. From my reading a 3ply yarn will provide a lot of drape which is essential for a project like this. I'll post more as I progress.

Keep smiling :-)

Spindles

2008-05-12T12:25:00.007+10:00

Ah! here's where I show of some of my favourite tools.

The first is a Bosworth Featherweight Purpleheart spindle which weighs 15gm (0.53oz). The roving is a merino flax mix from Felt from the Heart. Actually all my lovely spinning tools have been supplied by the lovely Sandie.

I'm trying to spin this as a lace weight single. I love knitting with singles so it will be interesting to see how this turns out. I'll let you know.

Now above is my beautiful Bosworth Midi in Canarywood which weighs 24gm (0.84oz) . The roving is Moonlit Night from Crazy Monkey. The aim of this is to spin a 2ply sock yarn. The first skein looks good but I'm not so sure about the second. I think it will be a little finer. We'll just have to wait and see.

Then in the post this morning arrived some more goodies from Sandie at Felt from the Heart. A mini Niddy Noddy which is just the right size to pack with my spindles when out and about. Obviously there is also another spindle. This one is a Kundert which weighs about 32gms and is Butternut with a walnut shaft.

Well that is enough chitchat. I'm off to spin.

Keep smiling :-)

Lemongrass Socks

2008-05-10T13:48:00.009+10:00

Well, I finally have a finished object - my Lemongrass Socks. I'm trying very, very hard not to cast on anymore projects till a few are complete. Unfortunately I find this extremely hard to do. I just want to keep trying more projects.

I keep thinking, with regards to socks, that I should try the two socks on needles thingy. I already do magic loop so it couldn't be that much harder and maybe I wouldn't have such a bad case of second-sockitis.

Anyway here is the finished object. It is just a my basic sock recipe with a twisted rib top and a reinforced heel. They are on my feet now and are really comfy.

Pattern: Basic sock pattern with fancy rib and reinforced heel
Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock Lightweight - Lemongrass
Needles: 2.5mm circular 80cm cable

If I get really clever I'll try and put it up on the site at some stage. I'd like to put it into PDF format first.

Keep smiling :-)

Francie

2008-05-06T15:56:00.012+10:00

Francie is one of my current works in progress. It was one of those patterns that as soon as I saw it I knew I had to cast it on even though I already have way to many cast on projects. The ribbing reminded me of tree roots and (for once) I already had the perfect yarn.

Pattern: Francie
Designer: Rebekkah Kerner
Yarn: Dream in Color Smooshy Sock Yarn - November Muse
Needles: 2.5mm circulars 80cm cable

BTW if you are on Ravelry you can find me as Foxysoxy.

Keep smiling :-)

The Beginning

2008-05-05T11:30:00.005+10:00

Well I've started to blog a number of times but it looks like I have finally done it. My name is Marian and I am a fibre addict. It is an addiction that has slowly taken hold beginning as a child and slowly increasing until I became a mother. Then it hit me. I couldn't get enough.

I've tried many different crafts - bear making, beading, cross stitch but I've always found myself coming back to fibre and especially yarn.

What really enhanced my addiction was the advent of new yarns. First we had all those novelty yarns which we couldn't get enough of and now can't stand the thought of using. Then I started to discover good quality yarns and my addiction was fixed.

Now we have the wonderful revolution of hand dyed and organic yarns, not to mention all these wonderful natural fibres such as bamboo and soy.

All of a sudden I found myself addicted to sock knitting. They were reasonably quick, easy to design and not too expensive to make and they allowed me to try out such a wonderful variety of yarns from all over the world. And then came lace. It just looks so wonderful when completed and blocked. There are times when I'm knitting and wondering just what I saw in this pattern. Then the blocking would be complete and I'd remember why.

And of course I ran off on other tangents. I have four Ashford looms: mini inkle, full size inkle, 80cm rigid heddle and a 24" four-shaft table loom. These haven't had a lot of use at the present time but will definitely be used. I had a point where I was making a decent amount of money so I bought my 'toys' which now I couldn't afford.

Spinning of course is my other passion. I was lucky enough to score a secondhand Majacraft Suzie which is a joy to spin with. I also love using spindles and my collection includes a student Ashford and my pride and joys: a featherweight Purpleheart Bosworth and a mid Canarywood Bosworth.

One thing I have definitely learnt is to buy the best equipment you can (even if secondhand) because it will make the enjoyment of your craft so much more.

Keep smiling :-)